The information
on the internet regarding aromatherpay is limitless. One could spendhours researching aromatherapy and how it can help alleviate
stress. But, the majority ofinformation available is accessed on pages that are also
selling a product. Therefore amajority of available information needs to be questioned. For
example one page was entitled Betsy’s Gift Shop. On a closer look one coulddiscover all sorts of things in Betsy’s Gift Shop. Actually
Betsy shares a page with afellow named Bill Brown. Betsy, it seems, has the gift
shop; and Bill sells MarineElectronics. On an even closer look one could find all
sorts of ‘gifts’ that are available.Betsey sells everything and anything from porcelain dolls,
gifts ‘for the golfer’, musicboxes, Elvis memorabilia, and low and behold essential
oils. Quite a combination!! As with
many pages one can quickly determining the credibility of that page. Whendetermining credibility one should look for who is the
author of the site and what theirpurpose is for preparing the site. Most, if not all,
retailers lack proof or back-up to whatthey are claiming. Most claim that the oils can cure
illnesses of all kinds, but none provideclinical research to back up their claims. Most
pages are clearly designed to look ‘natural’ and be very convincing. Someshow the actual products while others entice the eye
with scenes of trees or other plants.They use words like “100% pure”, and “proven fact”.
But, a critical reader will questionwhat is pure and who has proven these facts. As with
anyone trying to sell a product today, aromatherapy companies will do justabout anything to get the consumer to buy their product.
The internet it no different thanother forms of advertising. Consumers must be aware of
what is ‘fact’ and what is just‘hype’ designed to sell a product. While
there are some credible sources on the internet regarding aromatherapy
andits use in stress reduction, the majority of sites are
just plain adverting and its claimsshould be severely questioned.